this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2025
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Fuck Cars

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36
Shamed by parents for wanting a car-free lifestyle. (lemmy.ca)
submitted 3 weeks ago by yardratianSoma@lemmy.ca to c/fuckcars@lemmy.ca
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I let my folks know that I'm getting rid of my drivers licence, because I don't plan on driving for at least the next 5 years.

My parents then said things like, "you're moving backwards in life", or "what will you do if you need to transport someone in an emergency?", to which I responded, "Taxi, or ambulance".

Am I a fool? Should I retain my licence for emergencies? I'm broke ATM, but should start working again soon, and my licence is expiring in a few weeks (and my wallet fell in a river a week ago, so I don't have the card anyways, not even kidding), so I'd rather not pay the $90 to keep it, if I don't have to.

What about you? Do you still keep a license handy for situations, or no? Is living car and license free possible in Canada?

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[–] Drusas@fedia.io 46 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

I think it is wiser to keep the legal right to drive even if you do not end up using it.

In an emergency, a taxi or car share ride could take a while to get to you and also might refuse your ride (if going to the hospital for an emergency, for example). Or you might find yourself in a position where someone who drove becomes unable to do so to get you or themselves home (sick, drunk, whatever) and you could help out. You also might decide to rent a car for some specific purpose at some point, such as for traveling somewhere with poor public transit or if you need a truck for hauling stuff.

I like to err on the side of preparedness.

[–] yardratianSoma@lemmy.ca 13 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

thanks for the perspective. I think I will keep it. I just hate all the costs associated with driving, and I don't even drive, and have to pay this and that.

And yeah, I have been in situations where I needed to drive, like helping a buddy drive a uhaul, or when another buddy passed out, I drove him to the hospital just in case he dropped behind the wheel.

[–] Albbi@lemmy.ca 13 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I think aspiring to a car free lifestyle is great, but there's nothing wrong with renting every once in a while. For the few times in your life that you need to move, renting a Uhaul will save you a ton of money over using a moving company. And there's a few times where renting a truck when purchasing a large appliance will save you over having things delivered.

[–] dil@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

im curious do all of yall live in very urban environments and have good car free infrastructure? I could not imagine relying on trains, busses, etc. that would add hours of travel time to my day

[–] Albbi@lemmy.ca 5 points 3 weeks ago

I use my bike to get around and recently upgraded to an ebike to help with hills and so that I'm not sweating when I get to where I'm going. I find I can get most places about as fast as a car since I can avoid traffic. For longer trips, I'm thinking of getting an escooter to get me to the train station and then the rest of the way.

[–] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Being able to drive could also be a requirement of some future job. (Even if it's not a core duty)

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 2 points 3 weeks ago

That's true and I should have thought of that. I've had two jobs which weren't driving-related but required me to drive to different locations.

[–] knightly@pawb.social 13 points 3 weeks ago

Tell your parents that if it's that important to them, then they can pay for the renewal.

[–] CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 13 points 3 weeks ago

Do you have to retake the exams and tests? Think about the logistics involved in that as you won’t have a car to take them in.

You’ll need an alternate ID card. The ubiquity of a drivers license as proof of residence and photo ID is highly convenient.

Save a penny, spend a dollar is what this sounds like. Give it 5 years and see how often you use it. There’s a lot of Canada you can’t get to on public transit.

[–] UID_Zero@infosec.pub 12 points 3 weeks ago

I don't know how it works in Canada, but I'd renew it just as identification. Doesn't matter if you have it or not for driving, but at least in the states a drivers license is ubiquitous as photo id.

[–] Wahots@pawb.social 7 points 3 weeks ago

I'd keep it, it's a handy form of photo ID, and might be useful when travelling.

I don't drive as often now that I work remotely and have an ebike, but it's still good to have for the rare times I do drive.

[–] miss_demeanour@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 3 weeks ago

You don't need a license. Many people don't have one and don't want one.
It's really just that simple.

[–] Auli@lemmy.ca 6 points 3 weeks ago

I mean your paying $49 dollars for your provincial id card or $90 for the license. You are going to need photo ID so it's one or the other. I'd just pay the extra $50 bucks and keep the license.

[–] ThePJN@sopuli.xyz 5 points 3 weeks ago

Driving is expensive and sucks. Going without it in Canada depends on how easy it is to access stuff for the most part. If you can walk/bike/transit more or less comfortably, go for it.

A provincial/territorial ID card is an option if you need ID.

[–] dil@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

They aren't wrong, ik this is fuckcars, but you could still have a car you drive once a week for groceries and ocasionally long distance, its nice not to take an extra whatever hours on a bus/train to certain destinstions, you can still bike 95% of the time lol

[–] dil@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 weeks ago

My (now dead, hit by a truck) hs english teacher was a biker, rode a different bike to school like an hour anothe town away daily in california in the central valley (not built for bikes farm roads, hella cars), he still had a car and drove it sometimes like across the city to get food lol

[–] LostWon@lemmy.ca 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Logistically, it's quite easily doable if you're in an urban area, but be prepared for a little less convenience and a LOT of unearned judgment from others (unless you're the social butterfly type who has people lining up to drive you everywhere).

Probably best to get a route map for your local transit systems and go over routes you would hypothetically use. Might help you decide.

[–] merde@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

excuse my curiosity but why do you have to pay to "keep your license"?

[–] yardratianSoma@lemmy.ca 6 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Renewal, it expires after a certain time, I think 5 years where I live, Ontario.

[–] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 weeks ago

Meh, having one doesn't require using it, it's not a Pro car statement, it's a license

I applaud you for not wanting to drive a car but if you already have it, why get rid of it?

Just keep it, you never know what will happen requiring you to have it

[–] infinitevalence@discuss.online 2 points 3 weeks ago

Don't be my brother and not bother to keep his license and up taking the test multiple times as a 40 something adult.

He is also the worst driver....

[–] rxbudian@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 weeks ago

If you're car free because you don't want to own a car.
There are options to have access to cars through car sharing.
Generally, having a drivers license lets you have greater travel range and options. I drive maybe once every 2-3 months, that's usually because I want a more reliable travel time than waiting for 3-4 transfers between buses and train routes.
Knowing you have a choice to drive also allow you to not focus on other things rather than what you can't do

[–] Washedupcynic@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 weeks ago

Look into getting a non-driver ID card instead, it may be a less expensive option that still keeps a government ID in your hand. If you are over 21 and you want to buy alcohol, this is the way, unless you already have a valid passport.

[–] jerkface@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 weeks ago

I got rid of my license in the 90s for the same reasons. There is an Ontario photo ID card available only to people who do not have a driver's license, and I think it is free. I don't recall ever paying any fees. I have only had a couple opportunities since then that it was relevant, and it's never been a significant factor in my life.